Key Takeaways
- Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb raised concerns over slow implementation of Pakistan’s Hepatitis C elimination program.
- Only 100,000 out of three million procured diagnostic tests have been utilized so far.
- Aurangzeb discussed the issue with Abbott’s Pharmaceuticals Division during his UN General Assembly visit.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has expressed concerns over the slow progress of Pakistan’s Hepatitis C elimination program, highlighting that only around 100,000 of the approximately three million procured diagnostic tests have been utilized.
During a meeting with a representative of Abbott’s Pharmaceuticals Division in New York, on the second day of his official visit for the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Aurangzeb attributed the slow progress to leadership turnover, inadequate project management, and limited public awareness.
The Finance Minister emphasized the need to address these issues to accelerate the program, stating that implementation problems must be resolved to meet the goals of the Hepatitis C elimination drive.
Aurangzeb appreciated Abbott’s technical assistance, particularly its experience in supporting Egypt’s large-scale Hepatitis C screening program, and discussed the importance of strengthening the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s regulatory capacity.
The meeting also covered Abbott’s plans for oncology treatment and efforts to resolve delays in resolving hardship medicine-pricing cases, with a focus on balancing medicine affordability with commercial viability and continuity of supply.
The Finance Minister stated that he would raise the implementation issues with relevant authorities in Pakistan to expedite progress on the Hepatitis C elimination program, aiming to ensure that the country meets its public health targets.
Aurangzeb’s comments reflect the ongoing challenges in implementing large-scale health programs, particularly in resource-constrained environments, and highlight the need for sustained government and industry collaboration.
